Ready For Adventure

I got a new pack for Christmas and some cash that I used to buy some equipment to put in it. I upgraded my tent and sleeping bag, and got some cooking equipment. There are enough things I can eat without cooking that I don't really need to take a stove with me, but it is a nice little option. I bought a left and right bag so that Ashley and I can zip together, so that will be a nice option. I also got some cool shoes that will be awesome for climbing dunes. They have individual toes and feel like being barefoot but protected. I'm pretty excited about all this.

Suspenders!

I have been looking for suspenders for a while, to no avail. (Note: I don't like to buy stuff online.)  I finally found some, but they were annoying holiday ones with shot glass holders attached. It took a while to get those things removed, but it was worth the effort. Without further ado, I give you...... MY SUSPENDERS!!

Click on past the break to see a tastefully cropped photo of me in suspenders and underwear.

I've been there, and I am glad to be where I am now instead.

Below is a response to a FaceBook note that a friend wrote about wondering what to do with his life after getting his degree. For those who don't know, I also have my degree. I remember it being a strange and trying time. Here is the response: 


I don't suggest it for everyone, but working retail allows me to define myself by what is important to me and not by what I do for money. I am an expression of my faith and my interests, which sometimes cost money to pursue. I fund the pursuit with a retail job where the corporation could easily replace me, but where I am free to make relationships with individuals that are all unique and irreplaceable. Most importantly to me, I don't take the job home with me. My phone is set to not even ring if they call me.
Now, on the other end of the spectrum, I have also worked in a field that I do define myself by. Working as a martial arts instructor was rewarding and I was proud to tell people that's what I did. To this day, people are still more likely to call me "Chuck" than by my real name at my retail job. Why do I no longer teach for money? Because the compromises you have to make will cause you to almost hate something you were once passionate about. Working with kids especially, you have to tailor the class to their interests, and not necessarily to what would be the best for them. If they are lazy and don't want to do the hard work, they will quit and you are out of a job. The same applies in any other field with the types of customers specific to that field.
(Friend), keep reaching for the things you love in this life. Nothing can stop you and it doesn't matter where the money comes from.

After The Break

Ashley just took a picture of me in my underwear and suspenders. I told her it wouldn't work on Facebook, but maybe after the break in a blog.

Wait, why did I do that?

I just worked from 5:30 AM to 6:30 PM. My brain is mush.

Today's Project

Today I started prototyping for a magic effect involving a nice box like the one you see on the left there. The inspiration for the effect comes from one I saw performed on Sunday at a social for my S.A.M. assembly. Without going into how it works, I was able to work in an extra effect that the original would not be able to do. Without factoring in the cost of tools I used to alter the box, my entire cost was under $7. I will have to start with a new box for my finished piece because I made a couple mistakes, but this one is still functional. I decided to flame distress the box to give it a more interesting look than the plain wood it started as. I do NOT suggest you try this at home, kids! Maybe not even some of you adults. Basically, I took a torch to the thing to make it look more rugged. I am pretty happy with the results.

Blog-Browsing

What a strange world blogging is. Some interesting finds today:

• A blog about girls wearing leg casts (I think the fetish is that they have trouble walking.)
• A video of a small child playing "I'm Yours" on the ukulele, singing along in words you can't make out, but getting a lot of the nuances
• Video blogs of a guy who looks like a Mexican Steve Carell wearing a santa hat

More than 95% of the blogs I saw were about cancer or another disease. After a while the "Next Blog" button just kept taking me to blogs I had already seen, so it feels like the total number of blogs on Blogger is about 50. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Aw Crap!

Ashley posted an entry in her blog about blogging, which included a reference to my own blog. Since she has a number of followers, someone might actually click on the link and be looking at this entry right now. I suppose I should post about something interesting.

~Pizza where there is no pizza~

Ashley wanted me to make her a pizza last night, which of course was ridiculous since we had absolutely nothing that resembles pizza ingredients in the house. I don't let these types of things stop me.

Step One: Use a stainless steel shaker to cut a piece of bread into a circle.

Step Two: Use the bottom of said shaker to flatten out the bread as evenly as possible.

Step Three: Mix up a paste of ketchup and Sriracha, spreading it evenly over the bread.

Step Four: Shred cheese to cover the paste.

Step Five: Add small pieces of lunch meat.

Step Six: Microwave for 27 seconds.

Step Seven: Enjoy. No really, enjoy. It was really good.

The Idea Of Being Prolific Scares Me

It takes me a long time to write anything. I want it to be perfect. I don't understand how some people can write so much. Bla!

Time For Snow

I woke up this morning to the sound of snow plows. I thought it was someone dragging trash cans around, at first. Looks good out there!